Free Agency is still a day and a few hours away, but already the buzz is growing louder. After a day where there were reports of big trades and re-signings of big names, evening brought informed speculation about rotation players.
Both Mike Mazzeo and Tim Bontemps report that the Nets could have interest in two big men, CSKA Moscow's seven-footer Sasha Kaun and Thomas Robinson, the 6'10" center/power forward the Nets thought they had in February before the 76ers swooped in and claimed him off waivers. Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week that the Nets and Spurs could be interested in Kaun who wants to try his skills in the NBA after seven years in the Euroleague and playing for Team Russia.
Back-up big men and back-up shooters are among the Nets bigger needs, particularly after the trade of Mason Plumlee on Draft Night. The two writers used differing language in their reports, but the message was clear and the timing near simultaneous: the three are among free agents the team is interested in.
On the interest in the 24-year-old TRob, Mazzeo tweeted...
Another reserve big that could perhaps interest the #Nets is Thomas Robinson.
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) June 29, 2015
The #Nets loved Robinson when he was drafted out of Kansas. Thought they claimed him off waivers before Philly came in and claimed.
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) June 29, 2015
Bontemps, writing about top Nets targets, similarly noted...
There’s also a chance the Nets could take another run at Thomas Robinson, the No. 5 pick in the 2012 draft whom they wanted to sign after Portland waived him last season – only for Philadelphia to claim him off waivers instead...
He could provide energy and rebounding as a low-cost reserve big, an area where the Nets need help.
Regarding the 30-year-old Kaun, Mazzeo tweeted...
One big man #Nets interested in to possibly fill backup void is Sasha Kaun, whose rights are held by the Cavs, as Yahoo earlier reported.
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) June 29, 2015
Similarly, Bontemps wrote...
They have been linked to Russian center Sasha Kaun – who has had a long international career after winning a national championship at Kansas – but the Nets would have to work out a trade with the Cavaliers, who control his draft rights...
Kaun has had an excellent career overseas playing for CSKA Moscow, but would like to come to the NBA next season. He’d be a perfect fit for the Nets as a backup center, assuming they re-sign Lopez
NetsDaily has been told there is mutual interest from both bigs, but nothing is set. If the Nets continue to be over the luxury tax threshold, finding money to meet their demands could be tough..
While we can expect to hear about Lopez and Young later this week, decisions on signing the others is likely to wait till the Nets see what they can do with the contracts of D-Will and Johnson. That could mean a couple of weeks.
- Nets’ free agency plan waits on Joe Johnson trade - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
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